Break Out

There were several places Gaara fantasized kissing Rin.

Romantic, awe-inspiring sites he wanted to show her, where he'd imagined a setting sun, a warm breeze, him saying something smooth and practiced, but life didn't work that way.

Instead, he found himself in a hospital bed, protected from the world by a white sheet, the scent of bleach and antiseptic hanging in the air.

And he'd never been happier.

Rin's kiss was warm sunlight, chasing away the feelings of doubt he'd built up in his mind. The thought of her staying by his side, choosing him over the life she had back in the Sound, made him feel stronger than ever before.

No one was taking this feeling from him; he'd fight the entire world if it meant seeing her smile.

It became his new purpose.

They pulled away from each other, Rin trailing kisses along his jawline, sending divine tingles down his spine. "Gaara?"

"Hm?"

"Since I've agreed to stay here, I need a favor from you."

He stroked a finger down her soft cheek. "Anything."

Rin's face shifted from pleading, to the mischievous grin he both loved and feared. "Break me out of here."

"Excuse me?"

She peeked out from under the sheet, waiting for the passing nurses that always seemed to come at the most inopportune times. "They've been keeping me here against my will for days."

"On my order."

Her eyes cut him. "Traitor."

He laughed and kissed her forehead. "Protector."

Rin scoffed. "As if I need protection against my own health."

Gaara felt the desire to bring up the beating her body took and the danger she seemed to always find herself in, but it didn't feel like the right move. "It made everyone feel safer."

She pulled the sheet down and curled her arm around his shoulders. "Okay, now is our chance. Carry me out of here."

"I don't think that's wise."

"And why not? You were completely fine with the idea of Orochimaru taking me tomorrow. I'd have to get up then."

"Yes, but..."

Rin rose a hand to silence him. "No objections! Take me out of this place, before I lose my mind. I've been confined within these walls for days and I won't be held responsible for any property damage, if I'm forced to stay."

Gaara stared dumbfounded at her. "Property damage? What property do you have to damage?"

She met his gaze and reached over for a tray that housed her food and water supplies.

His eyes widened. "Rin?"

In one smooth motion, she brushed off the empty cup, which clamored against the tiled floor.

Gaara winced at the noise and looked to the hall, where he was certain a team of doctors would be in to berate them. "Rin!"

She took hold of a spoon and held it up. "Take me out of here or the cutlery is next."

Despite himself, the Kazekage laughed at the feisty look on her face. There wasn't much he could do when she looked at him like that.

He let out a dramatic sigh, as he stood from the bed and swooped his arms under her legs, holding her tight. "Troublemaker."

She rested her head against his chest, soft smile blossoming on her face. "Amongst other things."

Gaara hitched her up to his chest and walked out of the hospital, as if it were any other day.

He knew the doctors would be cross with him, but he had a feeling the nurses had their share of his love's impatience.

This theory was further proved, when the woman manning the front desk conveniently turned to water the lone plant in the facility, ignoring the leader of her village kidnapping a patient from under their noses.

When they made it through the doors and into the waiting streets, Rin felt the familiar anxiety of the prying eyes taking her.

She wasn't certain of everything that happened since she was admitted, but she did know that if they weren't suspicious of the Sound before, they certainly were now.

Gaara's strong arms tightened, giving her an immovable cage of security. "It's alright, Rin."

"Don't you feel like you should put me down, now? People are going to talk."

He took account of the curious faces watching from their booths and homes, all trying not to show how blatant they were with their staring. "They've been talking about me for years. I'm used to it."

"But I..."

His lips came to the top of her forehead, silencing her.

Rin's eyes went wide, noticing the sudden whispering of the villagers at the foreign display of affection from their Kazekage and for a member of the Sound as well.

Gaara smiled. "There. Lots to talk about now."

He moved on, not bothering to hide his triumphant smirk at the red which overtook Rin's face. He wouldn't lie, if he didn't consider it payback for when she put him in the same position.

By the time they made it back to the Kazekage's manor, Rin felt as if she may die of embarrassment.

It was one thing to share this new found romance with him behind closed doors, but to show it off for the entire village, who didn't trust her to begin with, was something new.

Her eyes flashed up to his face and the smirk that hadn't left.

The mid-day sun shone hot on both of them, but it seemed to ignite Gaara in a way she'd never seen before.

Whereas the light drained her of her energy and made her seem haggard, it made him look radiant.

He belonged to the desert.

Gaara looked down at her stunned expression. "Something wrong?"

She closed her eyes and rested against his shoulder. "Nothing."

They took the stairs carefully, Gaara's attention to each and every one making her smile. He treated her like she was precious, a feeling Rin wasn't familiar with.

It occurred to her just how out-of-place she'd been when she first followed Temari up these steps. How anxious and wrecked she must have looked and how, in hardly any time at all, now it felt like she was coming home.

"Well, well, I didn't think Rin was cleared from the hospital quite yet. How interesting to find her here."

Kankuro stood in the great hall, arms crossed, one bandaged all the way up past his elbow.

Rin reached out and touched his wound. "What happened?"

Both brothers stared at each other for a second, before Kankuro gave a convincing smile with a shrug. "Oh, you know me, always putting my foot in my mouth. It was only a matter of time before someone knocked me around for it."

Gaara looked away, ashamed.

Rin noticed the shift in his energy.

Her eyes went from his face to the Captain's, trying to offer a lighthearted dismissal. "I understand. I hope it feels better soon."

Kankuro brushed her off. "No worries. It looks worse than it is. I'll be fine. I'm glad to see you out of the hospital though. Wasn't sure how much longer we'd have you here."

She felt Gaara's muscles stiffen.

The unspoken discomfort between them was palpable and though she didn't know why, Rin could feel she was at the center of it.

The hand that was wrapped around his shoulders, lifted so her fingers were lightly stroking the back of his neck, soothing the tension from it.

"I'm not sure of the details yet, but I'm hoping you'll be seeing me around for a while yet."

Kankuro's eyes widened. "Is that so?"

Rin smiled. "If that's okay with you?"

He laced his hands behind neck and grinned. "Yeah, I think that's fine. I'm not the one you'll have to contend with though. Let me know when you tell Temari, so I can have a front row seat."

Gaara brushed forward, not wanting to imagine how his sister would respond to him making great romantic gestures without consulting her first.

Not that she had a say in his love life, but he wasn't naïve to how the council, the village and the rest of the nations would respond to his interest in a woman from the Sound at his side.

These were bridges he'd cross one at time.

Before they left, Gaara stopped and addressed Kankuro, his voice soft. "I hope your arm feels better, as well."

He smiled. "My big mouth gets me into trouble. I deserved it."

Gaara shook his head. "No, you were right and I'm grateful... brother."

Kankuro dipped his chin and waved them off, as Gaara climbed the many stairs to his private quarters.

Rin studied his face. "What was that about?"

"A little spat between brothers."

"Do you often fight?"

Gaara smiled to himself. "No, actually, we never really have."

"You seem happy about it."

"Yes... a part of me is."

They passed by her room and Rin wanted to comment about how she was supposed to be resting for the next few days, but with Gaara's door coming in sight, she decided against it.

He fumbled with the handle, but managed to swing it open and set her on the bed. "There. Can I get you anything? Some water? Are you hungry?"

Rin shook her head and held out her hand. "No. I just need you to come here."

Gaara closed the door and approached, suddenly feeling out of place in his own room. "I have some other matters to focus on today."

"Mm hm."

He sat on the bed, watching as she so easily laid back, gently pulling him with her.

"I don't have a lot of time for... anything.... big."

Rin wanted to laugh, but held back. "What are you imagining is happening, Lord Kazekage?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. I never know what to expect from you."

She smiled and scooted closer so that she was resting in his arms. "Don't worry, Gaara. If that's going to happen, it won't be when I stink of hospital smell and haven't had a proper bath in a few days."

He let out the breath he didn't know he was holding.

A part of him called out to be embraced by Rin.

He was a hot-blooded man and she was the woman he loved, of course the thought crossed his mind, but he didn't know if he was ready for that leap yet.

He'd only just experienced kissing her for the first time a few weeks ago.

Rin's tender hand came to his face, turning him to look at her. "We need to discuss something."

"There are many things, I feel."

She nodded and laid her head in the crook of his neck. "Yes, but the biggest one first."

Gaara pulled her closer. "Which is?"

"What we're going to tell Orochimaru."

He stiffened at the name, the image of the snake-like man filling his vision.

His arms tightened around Rin. "I'd think it be fairly simple. I inform him that you've decided to stay here. He can't force you to go back."

Rin hid her face in Gaara's chest, her words muffled. "You have no idea the things he can force me to do."